CELLULAR STRUCTURES WITH INTERCONNECTED MICROCHANNELS

摘要

A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component includes obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton comprising a network of interconnected ligaments. The foam skeleton is then melt-infiltrated with a tritium breeder material, for example, lithium zirconate or lithium titanate. The foam skeleton is then removed to define a cellular breeder component having a network of interconnected tritium purge channels. In an embodiment the ligaments of the foam skeleton are enlarged by adding carbon using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) prior to melt-infiltration. In an embodiment the foam skeleton is coated with a refractory material, for example, tungsten, prior to melt infiltration.

主权项

1. A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component comprising:
obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton, wherein the carbon foam skeleton comprises a network of interconnected ligaments; melt-infiltrating the carbon foam skeleton with a tritium breeder material; allowing the breeder material to solidify; and removing the carbon foam skeleton such that the breeder material defines a three-dimensional component having a network of interconnected channels therethrough.